With a wide range of free events taking place year-around, there’s always something to celebrate in Santa Cruz County every weekend. See what’s happening in Santa Cruz County and check out events here!
This is a walk-in Christmas display located in the midtown of Santa Cruz, CA. Their exhibit is very traditional: lots of Christmas trees, garlands, sleighs, an elf village, miniature village’s, […]
Stroll over sand dunes, enjoy beautiful ocean views, and gain a unique opportunity to view Northern elephant seals on this 3-mile, 2.5-hour guided trail! Layered clothing, closed-toed shoes, and rain/wind […]
The Bridge is an authentic, original, child pleasing tale. Inspired by a wolf, Nordic Legend and the architecture of connection, The Bridge is a freshly conjured visual feast sprinkled with […]
Get in the holiday spirit – celebrate the season at the beach! Enjoy a festive stroll through dazzling holiday lights and decorations at no cost. If you’d like to hop […]
Dine, shop and explore the Seabright neighborhood while it has restricted car access and enjoy the walkability and views! You could win a souvenir with only one stamp! How to […]
The Downtown Santa Cruz Market runs year-round on Wednesdays, 1-5pm year round. Our largest and oldest market, it is situated in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, one block off […]
Ring in the New Year at High Tide with an elevated five-course dinner featuring tamago sando, lobster chawanmushi or local petrale sole, pistachio crusted California squab, or truffle risotto, Australian […]
Trivia every Wednesday! Hosted at Front and Cooper inside of Abbott Square Market Go test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails! Brought to you by […]
You cannot get more Capitola vibes than you do with this event. Fork & Cork is a beachy bar featuring a wine list with craft beer options, a firepit for […]
Vino by the Sea, upstairs at the Santa Cruz Wharf, is having a New Years Eve party with live music from Spun! Enjoy a night of dancing with Spun, balloon […]
Los Lobos are a groundbreaking American band known for fusing traditional Mexican music with rock, country, folk, R&B, and other vernacular styles. They gained international fame with their cover of […]
Step behind the velvet rope for a Roaring ’20s–inspired celebration. Bruno’s will transform into an upscale speakeasy featuring live music by Fire Peach, craft cocktails, dancing, and a sparkling midnight […]
💥NEW YEARS EVE PARTY 💥 Go ring in the new year overlooking the beautiful Santa Cruz Harbor with a high-energy dance set of live music from Matt Masih & The […]
"Dress To Impress", if you choose, this years theme is 1980's "Miami Vice", Pastel Suave, 80's Neon Glamour. Enjoy an evening of music, hors d’oeuvres, party favors, photobooth and a […]
Ring in the new year at Moe’s Ally with Jive Machine, Floratura and Coffee Zombie Collective! There will be a countdown with a champagne toast, photo booth and more! Throw […]
The China Cats are a Grateful Dead tribute band based in Santa Cruz and are known for their creative jams and ability to capture the spirit of the Dead’s live […]
This New Years Eve step into a realm of surreal projections, intriguing art, dance beats and lasers as you ring in 2026! The celebration will feature DJs, hourly ball drop […]
Dance the night away to live music by The Alex Lucero Band at Chaminade's 21+ New Year's Eve Party. Spend your evening ringing in 2026 while enjoying a champagne toast, […]
The title of internationally acclaimed Jesse Daniel's latest country album refers to the mountains creeks and redwoods of his home here in Santa Cruz County. Join in welcoming the Son […]
Get ready to ring in the New Year with non-stop vibes and good times at the ultimate Reggae, Dancehall & Afrobeats bash! This isn’t a black-tie, overpriced bottle-service situation. It’s […]
Rock ‘n' Roll filled night of originals and covers meets A sonic melting pot of psychedelic rock, folk, blues and more... Local bands New Horizons and Northern Disconnection will be […]
Enjoy a four mile, four hour walk at George's Picnic Area and take Loma Prieta Grade Trail to the Porter House site to the site where the town of Loma […]
Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and […]
Explore the old-growth Redwood grove and learn all about Coast Redwoods and the forest. This 1 mile walk will last about 1.5 hours and is recommended for ages 6 and […]
Whim & Wonder invites you into a world where the extraordinary hides in plain sight. This exhibition celebrates the playful elegance and curious brilliance found in the overlooked, the reimagined, […]
This exhibition will feature master shaper, Bob Pearson's precisely fashioned replicas of redwood o'lo boards first created by the princes in 1885 and ridden at the mouth of the San […]
Interested in observing and comparing old growth and second growth redwood forests? How about walking by the river and learning about what plants grow alongside it? Enjoy a guided stroll […]
California King Tides are coming to the shores of Santa Cruz County this winter! These naturally occurring and predictable events are when the highest and lowest tides hit our shores […]
The Felton Farmers’ Market is a treasured weekly gathering May through October, now running for over 30 years. We appreciate the dedicated customers who call this market a second home. […]
Far West Fungi’s Santa Cruz Store & Café is launching Myco-Mixers - Enjoy an afternoon of food, fun, and fungi! Each Myco-Mixer will feature complimentary bites, product samples, and happy […]
Go start the New Year by safely exploring king tides at New Brighton State Beach with a guide. Enjoy a lower tide than can ever be seen in summer while […]
Enjoy a mile and a half guided walk from the mixed forest through the sandhills to the Observation deck and back. You will reflect on how the land teaches us […]
The Watsonville Farmers Market is every Friday afternoon from 2-7 all year round at the City Plaza in Downtown Watsonville. Don't miss out on the wonderful locally grown fresh fruits, […]
Kianti’s is bringing “The Nightmare Before Christmas” back to life. This holiday performance features Jack Skellington, pizza spinners, dancing staff and a flame-raising kitchen. Shows every Friday & Saturday night […]
Market customers appreciate the bountiful selection of top quality produce and specialty foods as well as the opportunity to connect with the farmers and vendors who produce it. Ninety vendors, […]
The Westside Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday, year round at the corner of Hwy 1 and Western Drive. Here we serve the communities of the west end of Santa […]
First Saturday Tours are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the Arboretum or to deepen your understanding of the Arboretum’s plant collections. Each tour is a little different depending […]
On this 2.5-mile, 2-hour family-friendly walk, you will explore the plants, animals, and geology of the Santa Cruz County coastal bluffs. Bring water, a hat, closed-toe shoes, layered clothing, and […]
Sean and the Skinwalkers is a blues rock trio. Just as comfortable playing traditional blues as they are tearing through a psychedelic rock song, the common thread is always the […]
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes author Vinnie Hansen to share her newest thriller, Crime Writer. "Hansen hits the ground running in her latest novel . Novelist Zoey Kozinski is thrown into the […]
The 2026 celebration will be at the London Nelson Community Center and feature hundreds of fascinating species from the area, uniquely displayed in a re-created woodland habitat. This unique Santa […]
Enjoy an amazing multi course mushroom and wine feast with a group of like-minded fungiphiles. Tickets will not be sold at the event. Follow the link in the orange button […]
Davenport goes beyond a beautiful place to get away from it all. Just minutes north on the Pacific Coast Highway, Davenport has stunning sweeping ocean and cliff views, the first […]
The Santa Cruz Antique Faire is on the 2nd Sunday of every month from 9am-5pm, weather permitting. Vendors offer an eclectic blend of antiques and unique items, vintage clothing, collectibles […]
Looking for more information on all the winter wildlife Santa Cruz County has to offer? Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes author and Professor Adina Merenlender for a discussion about The California […]
Enjoy the Inaugural Museum of Art and History (MAH) 5 Minute Film Festival! The MAH has been collecting independent films that are 5 minutes in length or less. Purchase your […]
The legendary Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their 100th Anniversary World Tour to Kaiser Permanente Arena! This one-of-a-kind basketball experience combines jaw-dropping athleticism, hilarious comedy, and unforgettable fan interaction. It’s fun […]
Thursday Through Sunday at 8pm (plus 2pm on the Weekends) Until 2/15/26. Festival Winners Play 2/27 - 3/8! The annual 10-minute play festival is one of the most anticipated and […]
Espressivo – Santa Cruz’s “small, intense orchestra” – will perform. Guest conductor Alan Truong will lead the ensemble in an exciting program of music by George Enescu, Jean Francaix, and […]
See the 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2024 NBA G League Franchise of the Year on their home turf! All home games with the Santa Cruz Warriors will continue to feature […]
A prolific musician, composer and inventor, Jack West is a singular guitarist with an immediately recognizable sound. He has released six albums, all receiving widespread critical acclaim, and he has […]
The Catalyst is the perfect venue for Mike Herrera's warm and friendly stage presence. Get up close to the stage, or head to the balcony to take in the experience […]
The She Adventures Film Tour returns for its annual celebration of women pushing boundaries in the outdoors, making at the historic Rio Theatre. This unmissable event brings over two hours […]
Revisit all the timeless Eagles hits like Hotel California, Heartache Tonight, Desperado, all performed 100% live! With rave reviews from coast to coast, the concert captures the essence, harmony and […]
Go see the prize-winning historian and UC Santa Cruz professor Gregory O'Malley for a discussion about his new book The Escapes of David George: An Odyssey of Slavery, Freedom, and […]
Go see George Saunders, recipient of the 2025 National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, for a discussion about his wise, playful, electric novel Vigil, which takes […]
Begin with a scenic steam train ride to the top of Bear Mountain, then hike and forage your way back into town while learning the core skills of safe mushroom […]
Get dressed up in clubbing attire for this 21+ Valentine's Day party! The ballroom will be set up with round tables that seat 10 people. VIP reserved seating is the […]
Composer Jon Scoville was raised in Connecticut, ruined in New York, and... restored in Santa Cruz County. Over 50 of Jon’s scores have been commissioned by choreographers and dance companies […]
See more than 500 quilts throughout three buildings at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds! There will be ongoing demonstrations, a vendor mall, Bargain Garden (fabric flea market), and a Wearable […]
Enjoy sipping local wines and beers while strolling through our charming shops and boutiques in Capitola by the Sea. Pre-registration includes: – Capitola Village Sip & Stroll commemorative glass – […]
Attention chowder lovers! Taste the best at the 45th Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off! Sample chowder from Amateur Chefs on Saturday, followed by Professional Chefs on Sunday. Both days feature Boston […]
45 years ago, their self-titled album got so popular they went platinum, no thanks to mainstream chart success or radio play. In the 80's, everyone had a copy of the […]
Get ready for the 4th annual Alfred Hitchcock Festival! There will be film screenings, food, drinks, and more! The Hitchcock Festival offers a rich tapestry of activities, blending screenings of […]
In addition to a day of great live music from some of our favorite Bay Area musicians, the festival will feature art vendors, full coffee bar, local craft beer & […]
The Watsonville Film Festival promotes Latin and indigenous cultural traditions with free events for the community throughout the year.
Swap out your flip flops for running shoes and join the fun with this family-friendly race through the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk! Run a 1k or a 5k, on this […]
Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza is a family-friendly event filled with arts & crafts, games, food trucks, an egg hunt, and more! Kids aged 3 to 13 years old are invited to […]
Emmylou Harris shook up country radio in the 1970's and established herself as the premiere songwriter of a generation selling more than 15 million records and garnering 14 Grammy Awards, […]
David has been entertaining audiences with his sardonic wit and incisive social critiques. He is the master of satire and one of today's most observant writers addressing the human condition. […]
Enjoy a festive Summer Luau by the beach! Dress in your best Hawaiian attire and enjoy a tropical buffet, live music, hula dancers, and fun for all ages. Perfect for […]
The showstopping Santa Cruz County Fair returns September 16 - 20th for family fun, great entertainment, live shows, animal displays, carnival rides, and more!!!
Come celebrate the vibrant traditions of the Latino community with mariachi, folklorico dancers, and a free beach concert. Enjoy Boardwalk rides and games plus fun food and beverage specials throughout […]
Mark the fall migration at one of the most beautiful places on the planet for the Monterey Bay Festival of Birds featuring field trips, workshops, family-fun activities, and keynote speakers. […]
Go see an exciting musical parade as 55 Northern California high school and junior high school marching bands compete next to the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in the ONLY […]
Bring your appetite and join the fun as both professional and amateur chefs work their culinary magic and compete for the title of Best Chili!
Celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and spooktacular Boardwalk fun! It's always free to enter the Boardwalk, but if you would like to receive a collectible Boardwalk bag with […]
Find that perfect gift from a selection of locally made, hand crafted wares while enjoying one of the scenic stops along the Corralitos Wine Trail. Enjoy a glass of Lester […]
